Clegg outlines vision for development

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

A pledge to put women at the ‘front and centre’ of aid with a new emphasis on girls’ education and family planning is a key element of a new reform plan to achieve the Coalition Government’s objectives on international development

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, outlines vision for international development

Unveiled by the Deputy Prime Minister and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell, the plan focuses on the key actions and milestones that DFID will deliver to support the Millennium Development Goals, the global blueprint to improve the lives of the world’s poorest.

Conflict and Stabilisation: Revising DFID strategies for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Develop a strategy for more integrated post-conflict reconstruction, building on the Stabilisation Unit.

Climate Change: Help poor countries to take part in international climate change negotiations.

International Commitments: Honour the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid from 2013 and enshrine this commitment in law.

On a visit to DFID, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said:

We must stand firm by our commitments to help the poorest people in the world. Economic times are tough, and no-one is suffering more than those already living in poverty. Our decision to ring fence the aid budget is not only morally right but in our national interest - having a knock-on effect on security, migration and trade.

This government will be a champion for development. The UK can lead the world in its work to combat poverty.

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said:

We will seek to persuade other countries to follow our lead and drive reform of the international aid architecture. These reforms will confront weakness and improve value for money, efficiency and focus throughout the international system.